Phu Bia Mining’s medical and community relations teams and community representatives at the local community health education session in Ban Nam Gnone healthcare centre. - Vientiane News/ANN
VIENTIANE: Phu Bia Mining, a leading mining project in Laos and the Anouvong District Public Health authority in Xaysomboun province recently conducted a two-day health education session to raise awareness about dengue fever among the residents of Nam Mo and Nam Gnone villages.
The event was aimed at educating local communities about the spread of dengue fever and to provide them with practical advice on ways to reduce the mosquito population around their homes.
The annual session this year’s event began with a presentation on the spread of dengue fever in Laos during the wet season.
Forty-three participants were advised to seal water tanks with tight lids, empty water from unused household containers, and release fish in their garden ponds to reduce the mosquito population.
They were also encouraged to ensure the regular cleaning of their houses and sleep under mosquito nets.
Dengue fever is a significant public health concern in Laos, with more than 7.6 million cases being reported to the World Health Organisation by April 30, 2024, including 3.4 million confirmed cases, more than 16,000 severe cases and more than 3,000 deaths. Both teenagers and children are most at risk of getting dengue fever.
In Laos, dengue fever continues to affect the population, with increasing cases reported during the wet season from June to September.
The company’s medical officers advised the participants to share information with their family and encouraged them to contact doctors at their local healthcare centres for dengue fever treatment.
PanAust Managing Director and the Chief Executive Officer, Daling Zheng, highlighted Phu Bia Mining’s health initiatives for local communities.
“Phu Bia Mining partners with District Public Health authorities to develop a wide range of health initiatives and activities that address and prioritise the health of local communities close to our operations.
"The dengue fever education sessions are part of joint initiatives to provide an opportunity for local communities to receive much-needed information and other precautionary measures to prevent the spread of dengue fever at the start of the wet season,” Zheng said.
Phu Bia Mining’s chairman, Chanpheng Bounnaphol, said the company’s medical team is ready to support doctors who provide healthcare services at the healthcare centres in the villages of Nam Mo and Nam Gnone that are funded by the company.
“We continue to make the latest public health information available to local communities visiting the healthcare centres so that they can maintain their good health and well-being,” Chanpheng said.
Phu Bia Mining’s efforts to educate local communities on preventing dengue fever are part of its ongoing commitment to promote public health and well-being in regions where it operates. - Vientiane Times/ANN
